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Original poster

Returning from overseas - any clues re SW London schools for Yr 9 to be DD ?

37 replies

sayatidaknama · 13/03/2017 14:30

We've been abroad for 4 years and there is now a chance we will come back this summer. Does anyone know of any schools which might have occasional places for DD(13) or might be worth contacting? She's an all rounder, hard worker but definitely not in the LEH/SPGS/Latymer Upper league, at this stage.

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 13/03/2017 17:17

KGS is great for drama, my DD is drama mad and loves it! V easy from Richmond too.

Ibstock Place has a new performing arts centre though I have no experience of the drama there.

I'm sure most of the schools have a good drama provision tbh

LIZS · 13/03/2017 17:03

Geographically not far but may be tricky in rush hour. Do check the train route (might go through Surbiton) and school bus routes. They do weekly boarding though, if that is an option although your options might increase anyway if so.

Original poster
sayatidaknama · 13/03/2017 17:01

Do you think PHS is worth a shot? My DD has a "thing" about it.

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Original poster
sayatidaknama · 13/03/2017 16:59

Thanks LIZS. Will be living Richmond-ish. Is St John's doable from there?

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Original poster
sayatidaknama · 13/03/2017 16:58

Ha ha don't envy my life here. It's not great at all and my poor DC have really suffered for being forriners.

I actually know one child (of actors in fact) who was moved from The Arts Ed back to a state school but I've always wondered about it for my DD, so that is interesting.

Thanks for advice. It is very cheering news on a grim Monday. Looks like I need to make some phone calls!

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LIZS · 13/03/2017 16:53

Is St Johns Leatherhead too far out?

cakeisalwaystheanswer · 13/03/2017 16:48

Hi again castles, I still envy your life in France.

The most popular move to has been to ArtsEd, I know nothing about it but maybe they have a deferred entry and accept so many each year? A couple went to Italia Conti, and also ACS Cobham as although its not a specialised drama school it apparently does do a lot of drama?

If I remember correctly you had a favourite school that I won't mention but definitely give them a call as they always have Y9 places and although being co-ed they will have applicants from 13+ preps they will be short of girl applicants. You will be swamped with offers from girls schools.

And I would second Epsom, friends have DCs there all extremely happy and the only downside is that the weekly boarders don't want to come home at weekends.

Happy hunting, but I think you may find that you are the prey!

Original poster
sayatidaknama · 13/03/2017 15:28

Thank you cakeisalwaystheanswer. That is very encouraging. I am castlesintheair btw, or used to be. Here we are again. Wink Coincidentally, DD is very into drama so I am interested to know which schools are "good" for it.

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cakeisalwaystheanswer · 13/03/2017 15:02

All of them.

Families are endlessly moving in and out of London and I am surprised how many come and go each year. There is also some movement back to state schools sometimes because parents overstretched themselves or fiunancial circumstances changed or because a place has finally become available at the desired state school and they have taken it. There are also a small number of girls who use a straight through school as a prep and move to boarding at 13+, and I do say 13+ because some of them are quite ambitious about their choice of boarding school and take up places very late for Y9 when someone else drops out. I also know of 8 girls who have moved from SW London schools in Y7/8 to schools that offer more drama, that is 8 girls DD knows from various schools that I can actually name which I find incredible!

Pick the school you want and start there. Do not sell yourself short, you may be surprised at the options you get.

LIZS · 13/03/2017 14:46

Epsom college?

Original poster
sayatidaknama · 13/03/2017 14:42

Thanks geordiedench. Surrey not too far away at all so would love hear about any schools there. Happiness more important than academics currently.

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geordiedench · 13/03/2017 14:34

I've heard good things about Emanuel, which is in Clapham.
There's Surbiton High in Surbiton - girls only.
Claremont in Esher is a happy school - not too academic but more so than it used to be.
Some lovely girls' and mixed schools out in Surrey but very popular and also maybe too far away if you're in London.

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